It Pays To Stand With God

By Very Revd Fr Michael Adefemi Adegbola

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives in me will never die.” John 11:25
Traditionally, All Souls Day has been dedicated for special prayers in commemoration of all the faithful departed. This commemoration is a reminder to all of us that our life is in God’s hand, and that His mercy is very necessary for us in order to be saved. So, we are encouraged to make progress toward God every day, as we realize that in all sorts of times, we find His wonderful presence – joy in happiness, comfort in bereavement, peace in depression, and faithfulness in despair. So, offering warm and prayerful November wishes for hope and peace, strength and grace from God to carry on patiently, and battle triumphantly to the end despite frustrations and setbacks.

Christians celebrate All Souls Day to worship, praise and thank God for the gift of the lives of our beloved ones who now have return to Him, their almighty Creator and Redeemer. With faith and devotion, we remember our brothers and sisters who died full of joy in the assured hope of a glorious resurrection. How often we take for granted the priceless gift and promise of eternal bliss with God. The sadness of death gives way to the promise of eternal life, and we comfort and strengthen ourselves with the loving and great assurance of hope. We know that even in sadness, God is near us and that is why as Christians we affirm our faith and hope in Him and surrender all to Him. We go to Him by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest.

On this day we offer prayers and Masses with hope, love and thanksgiving for those we remember. We pray for our beloved ones who have passed from death to life in company with the Lord Jesus, who died and rose to new life that we may all have salvation. This celebration brings hope and consolation to the living, while recalling God’s goodness and mercy to his children.

Families, friends and sympathizers visit the tombs of their loved ones bringing flowers and praying for them. Family and community members come together at such memorial service to pray with affection for the deceased and for courage and consolation from God upon their family. All Souls Day for the Christian community is a moment of love and compassion and the community prays with, and share their emotions and experience of separations with Jesus Christ, the Lord of life who said: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives in me will never die.” cf. John 11:25.

Today we come before the Lord small, weak and powerless. Let us ask for strength and wisdom. The tragedy of our day is not unanswered prayers but unoffered prayers. Unfortunately, life has left our people wearied and wasted, callous and confused, depleted and discouraged, frightened and frozen with agony in our eyes. Our situation is depressing and shameful as frustration intensifies and we have lost control over our lives. Our people have continued to suffer systematic marginalization, brutalization, deprivation and militarization. Due largely to high rate of unemployment and bad governance, the youth have mostly taken to crime such as fraud, money making rituals, cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, drug abuse and trafficking. As a nation, we have experienced times of disillusionment and disarray, tyranny and violence. Our greatest tool now is prayer and God’s help. Let us get God and discipline back in our hearts, church, homes, schools, offices and nation, and get drugs, violence and corruption out.

As we hold on strongly together in faith and prayer, our hearts go to those intimidated, persecuted, victimized, imprisoned and tortured, harassed and embarrassed. Let us remember the innocent souls that perished in the armed conflict and hostilities Ukraine, Russia, Israel and Palestine; Democratic Republic of Congo, victims of terrorism, war and violence around the world; innocent victims of the terrible natural disasters and devastations across the globe; and especially all our deceased Diocesan faithful, and Religious as well as our beloved Clergy. We also pray for all families, communities, and nations thrown into anguish and sorrow as a result of wars, conflicts, tragic murders, assassinations, hatred, violence, and terrorism, that they may all find strength, comfort and support from God. It pays to stand with God. Today, let us be thankful for what we have accomplished and stay positive. God will turn things around for us. Let us seek love, humility, justice, mercy and compassion. Let our hearts take comfort in Jesus, the resurrection and life as we say: Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Very Revd Fr Michael Adefemi Adegbola, Vicar General, Catholic Diocese of Kano, Nigeria.